This Day In Wrestling History- July 16th

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1988 – Frank Goodish, better known as Bruiser Brody, is stabbed in a shower stall in the locker room of Juan Lobriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico by wrestler (and WWC part-owner) Jose Gonzalez (aka Invader I) prior to a WWC event. Brody is taken to a hospital, but dies on the operating table later that night (technically the morning of July 17th) from blood loss. Gonzalez is charged with first degree murder, but is later acquitted. Brody, a true legend in the business, particularly in Japan, was 42 years old

In 1985, the 1st ever NWA Great American Bash is promoted by Jim Crockett, & was held at American Legion Memorial Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina. With an attendance of 27,000. The concept is credited to Dusty Rhodes. The next 2 Bashes would be tours rather than single events, with this format returning for 1988:

In 1995, WCW Bash At The Beach was held on the beach, in Huntington Beach, California. With an attendance of 9,500. To promote the event, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Big Van Vader, & Kevin Sullivan guest starred on season 6 episode 15 of “Baywatch,” which was also titled “Bash at the Beach”:

Also, today would have been the birthday of one-time AWA World Champion Mighty Igor Vodic (83)

In Memoriam

The wrestling world has lost 3 personalities on this date:

Firstly, in 2001, former NWA & WCW Tag Team Champion Terry Gordy died aged just 40. Gordy began his career in 1975 as ‘Terry Mecca’, but quickly reverted to using his real name, & alongside Michael Hayes, founded The Fabulous Freebirds. The duo (later trio, after Buddy Roberts joined the group) competed as top heels in several southern NWA territories throughout the 1980′s. Gordy also found singles success, winning championships in the Southeastern, & Mid-South territories. In the early 90′s, he competed in Japan alongside Steve Williams as ‘The Miracle Violence Connection’, with the duo eventually becoming 5-time AJPW Unified Tag Team Champions. Throughout the rest of the 90′s, Gordy competed in all of the big 3 promotions, though did not last long in any of them. He passed of a heart attack caused by a blood clot

In 2005, the 1st WWC Heavyweight Champion Miguel Perez died at the age of 68. Perez began his professional career in Montreal in 1954, wrestling for the Montreal Athletic Commission. He later formed a tag team with Antonino Rocca, competing in the New York territory for NWA Capitol (the forerunner of today’s WWE). They were the first recognized tag team champions of the promotion. Rocca left the area in 1963, which saw Perez become an undercard wrestler. Perez himself left the area in 1968 & after a stint of relative inactivity, became the face of WWC in it’s infancy. He became a 3-time WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Champion before reuniting with Rocca for a stint as the promotion’s tag team champions. After Rocca’s death in 1977, Perez won one more Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title before being forced to retire from the ring through injury in 1979. He remained with WWC through to 1981 in various roles before leaving wrestling altogether. He died of a heart attack at his home on the island

Finally, in 2006, former NWA and AWA star Bob Orton Sr. died aged 76. Orton competed in several NWA promotions across his career, winning championships in the Midwest, Central States, Florida, Texas, Mid-South, Western States & St Louis territories. He also had a stint in the WWWF, teaming with Buddy Rogers. However, it is perhaps his legacy rather than his championships that is best remembered in today’s wrestling world. He was one of the first wrestlers to utilize the Piledriver move & was instrumental in the popularization of the move. I also read (though I can’t guarantee the authenticity) that he innovated the move that we today know as ‘The Pedigree’. Orton only retired from the ring in 2000 after a near 50 year career, living out his life in Las Vegas, before passing of a series of heart attacks. Orton’s descendants continued his legacy in the wrestling business; his sons Bob Jr. & Barry both competed for the WWF, & grandson Randy is a 9-time World Champion